Apparatus for testing various structural parameters of an electro-magnetic radiation barrier

Abstract

The design of an electro-magnetic radiation suppression shield and cooling housing for a computer, server or other electronic device having a computer processor may be greatly enhanced and expedited by a test apparatus that permits the placement of electro-magnetic radiation suppression plates at differing locations, spacings and alignments, which allows a variance in positioning the electro-magnetic radiation source. The test apparatus not only has an air flow cooling opening in which an electro-magnetic radiation suppression panel forms cooling air flow holes but also a fixture for disposing a second similar electromagnetic radiation suppression panel at a distance from the first electro-magnetic radiation suppression panel. Each of the panels may be substituted to test various designs. The test apparatus further is provided with a telescoping support projecting into the interior cavity so that the electromagnetic radiation source may be moved about in the interior and thus simulate a large number of positions and conditions. The test apparatus provides a greatly enhanced tool in the trial and error approach to electro-magnetic radiation control.

We claim:  
     
       1. A test apparatus for aiding in designing and testing enclosures for suppression of electro-magnetic radiation comprising: 
       an electrically grounded conductive enclosure defined by walls and at least one end panel;  
       said end panel forming a cooling air flow opening therethrough;  
       said air flow opening covered by a first electro-magnetic radiation suppressing, air flow passing member;  
       a second electro-magnetic radiation suppressing, air flow passing member;  
       a fixture for supporting said second electro-magnetic radiation suppressing, air flow passing member spaced from said first electro-magnetic radiation suppressing air flow passing member and juxtaposed with said first electro-magnetic radiation suppressing air flow passing member,  
       said second electro-magnetic radiation suppressing member disposable in said fixture at variable distances from said first electro-magnetic radiation suppressing member, and  
       an electro-magnetic radiation source disposed within said enclosure for providing electro-magnetic radiation within said enclosure,  
       whereby any of said electro-magnetic radiation escaping from said enclosure may be measured for a plurality of electro-magnetic radiation suppressing configurations of said test apparatus.  
     
     
       2. The test apparatus for aiding in designing and testing enclosures for suppression of electro-magnetic radiation of  claim 1  wherein said electro-magnetic radiation source is mounted for movement within said container, whereby disposition of said electro-magnetic radiation source within said container may be varied to vary conditions of electro-magnetic radiation for measurement of any of said electro-magnetic radiation escaping from said enclosure. 
     
     
       3. The test apparatus for aiding in designing and testing enclosures for suppression of electro-magnetic radiation of  claim 2  wherein said movement is toward or away from said cooling air flow opening. 
     
     
       4. The test apparatus for aiding in designing and testing enclosures for suppression of electro-magnetic radiation of  claim 2  wherein said electro-magnetic radiation source is disposed within said container for rotational movement relative to said enclosure. 
     
     
       5. The test apparatus for aiding in designing and testing enclosures for suppression of electro-magnetic radiation of  claim 2  wherein said electro-magnetic radiation suppression members are removably supported relative to said walls of said enclosure. 
     
     
       6. The test apparatus for aiding in designing and testing enclosures for suppression of electro-magnetic radiation of  claim 5  wherein said electro-magnetic radiation suppressing members are electrically grounded. 
     
     
       7. The test apparatus for aiding in designing and testing enclosures for suppression of electro-magnetic radiation of  claim 6  wherein said first and said second electro-magnetic radiation suppressing members comprise metallic mesh members. 
     
     
       8. The test apparatus for aiding in designing and testing enclosures for suppression of electro-magnetic radiation of  claim 7  wherein said mesh members comprise metal sheets forming a plurality of air flow passages therethrough. 
     
     
       9. The test apparatus for aiding in designing and testing enclosures for suppression of electro-magnetic radiation of  claim 7  wherein said mesh members comprise pierced and expanded metal sheets. 
     
     
       10. The test apparatus for aiding in designing and testing enclosures for suppression of electro-magnetic radiation of  claim 7  wherein said mesh members comprise non-conductive mesh members coated with a conductive metal layer. 
     
     
       11. An electro-magnetic radiation suppression test apparatus comprising: 
       an electrically grounded conductive enclosure comprising a plurality of walls;  
       an electro-magnetic radiation source displaceably disposed within said enclosure;  
       an air flow opening in at least one of said walls;  
       a plurality of variably separated electro-magnetic radiation suppressing air flow permitting members disposed co-extensive with said air flow opening, and  
       said plurality of electro-magnetic radiation suppressing members disposable at a separating distance therebetween,  
       thereby permitting electro-magnetic radiation emission measurements for differing conditions of separation of said electro-magnetic radiation suppressing air flow permitting members.  
     
     
       12. The electro-magnetic radiation suppression test apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said electro-magnetic radiation source is variably positionally disposed within said enclosure. 
     
     
       13. The electro-magnetic radiation suppression test apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said plurality of electro-magnetic radiation suppressing, air flow permitting members comprise metallic mesh. 
     
     
       14. The electro-magnetic radiation suppression test apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said mesh members comprise pierced metal sheets, forming a plurality of air flow passages therethrough. 
     
     
       15. The electro-magnetic radiation suppression test apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said mesh members comprise expanded metal sheets. 
     
     
       16. The electro-magnetic radiation suppression test apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said plurality of electro-magnetic radiation suppressing, air flow permitting members comprise a non-conductive mesh with a conductive coating. 
     
     
       17. An electro-magnetic radiation control test device for testing the positioning of electro-magnetic radiation suppression members in a cooling air flow path comprising: 
       a means for enclosing an electro-magnetic radiation source;  
       said means for enclosing defining a means for air flow entry thereinto;  
       support means for disposing means for suppressing Electromagnetic radiation passing through said means for air flow entry and escaping from said means for enclosing;  
       said support means for disposing positioning at least a pair of said means for suppressing electro-magnetic radiation at one of a plurality of selectable distances therebetween within said cooling air flow path, and  
       means for maintaining electrical continuity between said means for enclosing and said means for suppressing electro-magnetic radiation,  
       whereby determination may be empirically made relating to spacing of said means for suppressing electro-magnetic radiation to achieve maximum suppression of electro-magnetic radiation passing through said means for air flow entry.  
     
     
       18. The electro-magnetic radiation control test device for testing the positioning of electro-magnetic radiation suppression members of  claim 17  wherein said means for suppressing electro-magnetic radiation comprises a plurality of air passages. 
     
     
       19. The electro-magnetic radiation control test device for testing the positioning of electro-magnetic radiation suppression members of  claim 18  wherein said means for suppressing electro-magnetic radiation is comprised of at least a pair of sheets of electrically conductive perforated material, said sheets separated by a distance, said distance variable for providing multiple test conditions. 
     
     
       20. The electro-magnetic radiation control test device for testing the positioning of electro-magnetic radiation suppression members of  claim 19  wherein said electro-magnetic radiation source is movable within said means for enclosing for providing multiple test configurations.